NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer
Mohammad Kaif
has heaped praise on
Virat Kohli
, stating that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener has reached a state of focus where no bowling match-up can disturb him. Kohli has been in exceptional form in
IPL 2024
, displaying his prowess and determination.
RCB are set to face Chennai Super Kings in their final league game in Bengaluru on Saturday.
The hosts need to secure a victory with a decent margin to surpass their opponents and clinch the final playoff berth based on net run rate.
Speaking on Star Sports, Kaif likened Kohli's current form and mindset to that of a monk in deep meditation, undisturbed by external distractions.
"When a hermit goes to the Himalayas, he is in a different zone when he is meditating. Nothing distracts him. Whether there is a loud noise, someone shouts or cries, it doesn't make a difference. Virat Kohli has reached that zone," Kaif said.
"He is not seeing the scorecard and is just in his zone and concentrating. He knows the intent with which he needs to play no matter which bowler, whether it's a fast bowler or a spinner, is in front of him. No matter which bowler comes, he has reached a zone where there is no match-up," the former India batter added.
Kohli is the highest run-getter in IPL 2024, amassing 661 runs at a strike rate of 155.16 in 13 games. Kaif emphasized that Kohli is driven by a desire to lead RCB to victory.
"He has come just to dominate. He has come with the passion that he will only be satisfied once he makes his team win, and that has been seen from the second match. In the first match against Chennai, he got out when he pulled a Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) slower bouncer and (Ajinkya) Rahane took the catch," he observed.
"From the second match against Punjab, he came determined. He was jumping down the track and hitting (Kagiso) Rabada and playing slog sweeps against spinners. You talk about the fourth or fifth gear but he has reached the 15th gear. No one will reach that level," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
As RCB prepare for their crucial match against CSK, Kohli's form and focus will be pivotal in determining the team's chances of making it to the playoffs.
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